The Edmonton Oilers faced a setback when head coach Kris Knoblauch announced that Curtis Lazar will be out for up to four weeks.
Lazar had to leave Tuesday’s comeback victory against Ottawa after a tough hit in the first period. The 31-year-old player had just found his place in the team’s lower lines, but now this unknown injury will keep him off the ice.
With the trade deadline coming up, the timing is really bad.
General Manager Stan Bowman quickly made changes to the team’s roster. Lazar was placed on long-term injured reserve on Wednesday to make space in the salary cap for new players.
This move was necessary to complete trades for Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach.
However, there is still a gap in the fourth line. Knoblauch now has only 11 forwards available, which means they need to call someone up from the Bakersfield Condors before the next game starts.
James Hamblin and Roby Jarventie are the top two picks for this promotion.
Both players have contracts that cost the least, making them good choices for a team that is tight on budget. Hamblin is known for solid defense and is from the area, while Jarventie has more scoring potential, having made 34 points in the AHL this season.
Management is looking for someone who can step in and make an impact right away with no time needed to adjust.
Time to decide for the lower lines
Lazar will be out up to four weeks via Knoblauch.
If he goes to LTIR they could recall one of Hamblin or Jarventie, who are on league minimum like Lazar.
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) March 4, 2026
If the Oilers want a reliable player, Hamblin is the best bet. He understands the system and keeps his play simple.
On the other hand, Jarventie has more exciting possibilities. At 23 years old, he is big and can score, which might be helpful for a second line that hasn’t been producing consistently.
No matter who they pick, the Oilers need to keep their energy up.
The West is too competitive for the team to just stay afloat while they wait for Lazar to come back in early April. The upcoming journey will challenge how strong this team’s player pool really is.
Look for a change to happen before the deadline on Friday.
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